ماهیان از پیر آگه ما بعید ** ما شقی زین دولت و ایشان سعید
The fish have knowledge of the Pír, and we afar (from him)! We (are) damned to lack this fortune, and they blest (with enjoyment of it)!”
سجده کرد و رفت گریان و خراب ** گشت دیوانه ز عشق فتح باب
He bowed low, and departed weeping and desolate: he became mad for love of the opening of the door (to union with God).
پس تو ای ناشسته رو در چیستی ** در نزاع و در حسد با کیستی3340
Then, O you with unwashed face, what are you about? Whom are you combating and envying?
با دم شیری تو بازی میکنی ** بر ملایک ترک تازی میکنی
You are playing with a lion’s tail: you are making a foray against the angels.
بد چه میگویی تو خیر محض را ** هین ترفع کم شمر آن خفض را
Why are you speaking evil of pure good? Beware, deem not that lowness (vilifying the saints) to be eminence!
بد چه باشد مس محتاج مهان ** شیخ که بود کیمیای بیکران
What is evil? The needy, despicable copper. Who is the Shaykh? The infinite elixir.
مس اگر از کیمیا قابل نبد ** کیمیا از مس هرگز مس نشد
If the copper was incapable (of being transmuted) by the elixir, (yet) the elixir was never turned into copper by the copper.
بد چه باشد سرکشی آتش عمل ** شیخ که بود عین دریای ازل3345
What is evil? A rebel that works like fire. Who is the Shaykh? The very Seal of Eternity.
دایم آتش را بترسانند از آب ** آب کی ترسید هرگز ز التهاب
Fire is always terrified by water. When was water ever afraid of being set aflame?
در رخ مه عیب بینی میکنی ** در بهشتی خارچینی میکنی
You are observing defects on the face of the moon: you are picking thorns in a Paradise.
گر بهشت اندر روی تو خار جو ** هیچ خار آن جا نیابی غیر تو
Picker of thorns, if you go into Paradise, you will find there no thorn but yourself.
میبپوشی آفتابی در گلی ** رخنه میجویی ز بدر کاملی
You are covering a sun with a sod: you are seeking flaws in a perfect full-moon.
آفتابی که بتابد در جهان ** بهر خفاشی کجا گردد نهان3350
A sun which shines throughout the world––how shall it be hidden for the sake of a bat?
عیبها از رد پیران عیب شد ** غیبها از رشک ایشان غیب شد
Sins are made sinful by the disapproval of Pírs; mysteries are made mysterious by their jealousy.
باری از دوری ز خدمت یار باش ** در ندامت چابک و بر کار باش
If you are far (aloof in spirit from the saints), at any rate be joined (with them) through (paying) respect (to them): be alert and active in (showing) penitence,
تا از آن راهت نسیمی میرسد ** آب رحمت را چه بندی از حسد
(In the hope) that a breeze may be coming to you from that way (quarter). Why do you shut off the water of mercy by (your) enviousness?
گر چه دوری دور میجنبان تو دم ** حیث ما کنتم فولوا وجهکم
Though you are far aloof, at (that) distance wag your tail (ingratiate yourself with them): wherever ye be, turn your faces (thither).
چون خری در گل فتد از گام تیز ** دمبهدم جنبد برای عزم خیز3355
When an ass falls in mire through (going at) a rapid pace, he moves incessantly for the purpose of rising.
جای را هموار نکند بهر باش ** داند او که نیست آن جای معاش
He does not make the place smooth (and comfortable) to stay in: he knows that it is not the place where he should live.
حس تو از حس خر کمتر بده ست ** که دل تو زین وحلها بر نجست
Your sense has been less than the sense of the ass, for your heart has not recoiled from these clods of mud.
در وحل تاویل رخصت میکنی ** چون نمیخواهی کز آن دل بر کنی
You interpret (some canonical text) as an indulgence (authorising you to stay) in the mud, since you are not willing to tear your heart from it.
کاین روا باشد مرا من مضطرم ** حق نگیرد عاجزی را از کرم
(You say), “This is allowable for me: I am under compulsion. God in His kindness will not chastise a helpless one (like me).”
خود گرفته ستت تو چون کفتار کور ** این گرفتن را نبینی از غرور3360
Indeed He has (already) chastised you, (but) like the blind hyena from self-deception you do not see the chastisement.
میگوند این جایگه کفتار نیست ** از برون جویید کاندر غار نیست
They (the hunters) are saying, "The hyena is not in this place; look for him outside, for he is not in the cave."
این همیگویند و بندش مینهند ** او همیگوید ز من بیآگهند
If the enemy had known of me, how should he have exclaimed, "Where is that hyena'?"